The Rockefeller Center tree is one of NYC's most famous holiday sights! Photo by Julienne Schaer for NYCGo

Best Christmas Towns and Santa's Villages in the US

1. New York, New York

New York City is one of the best places to visit for the holidays. It's lit up in all manner of lights. In Midtown, the city’s iconic tree towers over the Rockefeller Center skating rink, while the decorated St. Patrick’s Cathedral is across the street. Store windows are all decked out in fantastical holiday designs. In Bryant Park, another tree and ice rink are flanked by a charming shopping village, and kids can meet Santa at Macy's Santaland. Other can't-miss attractions are the Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo and the annual Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden.

To experience a full explosion of Christmas spirit, take the R or D train out to Brooklyn's Dyker Heights neighborhood, which has become an international destination as residents try to outdo each other with over-the-top light displays on their homes. NYC is essentially several Christmas towns rolled into one major holiday destination. Check out our list of must-do holiday and Christmas events in NYC.

2. Walt Disney World — Orlando, Florida

Disney World’s version of Christmas is as grand as ever. Cinderella’s castle is all decked out with holiday-themed castle projections, an international smorgasbord of holiday traditions abound at Epcot, and For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-a-Long Celebration takes place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Fireworks, live entertainment, parades, and rides make this Florida getaway one of the best Christmas towns in the US. Explore more of Orlando for holidays lights and seasonal festivals.

RELATED: 101 Christmas Activities for Kids: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decorations, and More

Philadelphia has lights, skating at Blue Cross RiverRink, Santa, and an authentic Christmas market. Photo by Danielle Smith

3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philly is abuzz with family festivities in December. Check out Dilworth Park’s ice rink, carousel, and light show. Franklin Square has a free outdoor light show, holiday fare, and Santa Saturdays. For an authentic German Christmas market, visit Christmas Village in LOVE Park. The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is lots of fun, too. Little Elmo fans can even see Santa, Rudolph, and the Sesame Street gang at Sesame Place. Who needs the Grinch when there's a Grouch?

4. Old Sturbridge Village — Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Old Sturbridge Village is New England's largest outdoor living history museum, depicting a rural New England town in the 1830s. While a day trip here is fun year-round, the holidays are when it becomes magical.

Every December the village is filled with holiday decor and merriment, with Christmas by Candlelight evenings featuring storytelling, sleigh rides, and musical performances. Kids can learn the history of Christmas traditions, like knitting stockings and wreath making. Watch period reenactors make a traditional Christmas meal, punch tin lanterns, and make ice skates or a sled. End the evening with a horse-drawn carriage ride and warming up by the bonfires.

RELATED: Best Christmas Cookie Recipes to Bake with Kids

Koziar's Christmas Village is a magical display of holiday lights. Photo courtesy of the village

5. Koziar’s Christmas Village — Bernville, Pennsylvania

What started as a man decorating his house for the holidays has spiraled into one of the most magical Christmas villages. Known for its impressive lights and decorations, the country estate features a toy shop, an old-time bakery, Santa visits, and more. After paying a modest admission fee, families can walk the stroller-friendly paths around this old farmhouse to take in all the good-natured Christmas kitsch. Warm up with a chocolate chip cookie and a cup of cider. 

6. Cedarburg, Wisconsin

The town of Cedarburg looks to be straight out of a Christmas card. Located about 20 miles north of Milwaukee, Cedarburg boasts quaint brick shops, covered bridges, cozy cafes, and charming historic buildings. The Cedarburg Christmas festival runs mid-November through Christmas. You’ll find Festive Friday Eves, a holiday art fair, Santa’s Workshop, seasonal entertainment, and cozy inns at this festive Christmas town.

RELATED: Visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA with Kids: What to Know Before You Go

Theme parks like Busch Gardens simply glow during the holidays. Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens

7. Williamsburg, Virginia

Take in the charm of an old-fashioned Christmas with a family getaway to Colonial Williamsburg. Christmas festivities include shows, workshops, music, tours, and more. Catch the Grand Illumination fireworks show that includes firing guns and musical performances and a special appearance by Father Christmas.

To extend the festivities and thrills, visit the nearby Busch Gardens Christmas Town. There, families can celebrate the season with holiday entertainment, roller coasters and rides, a Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt, sweet treats, and meeting Santa in his Workshop.

8. The Mission Inn — Riverside, California

The Mission Inn began as a small adobe boarding house in 1876 and grew into its present castle setting with a legendary holiday light display. Lights drape every available exterior surface and wind into the lobby. With enormous Nutcracker soldiers guarding the entrance, a life-size gingerbread house, Dickensian robots, light-up Cinderella carriage rides, and more, this is an experience that dazzles like Disneyland, but at a far more relaxing pace. End your evening with Casey’s Cupcakes, which became nationally famous when Casey won Cupcake Wars.

Read our detailed review of a visit to Riverside's Legendary Holiday Lights Display.

RELATED: Branson with Kids: 50 Best Things To Do in Branson, MO

Santa rides into Silver Dollar City for a magical Christmas. Photo courtesy of Branson's Convention and Visitor Center

9. Silver Dollar City — Branson, Missouri

In addition to repeatedly being named one of the top amusement parks in the nation, Silver Dollar City rocks the holidays. Its seasonal "Old Time Christmas" has more activities than ever, with a nightly parade of lights, a holiday sing-along steam train, and loads of holiday entertainment, including over 30 shows. The whole park is bedecked in millions of holiday lights, and the 80-foot Christmas tree—dazzling with dancing lights—towers over everything.

10. Mystic, Connecticut

People love Mystic's quintessential New England charm, but the holiday season really ups the ante on its appeal. For one, there’s the beloved Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, which begins with a tree lighting and ends with Santa arriving by tugboat. Christmas in Mystic wouldn’t be complete without a holiday stroll through Olde Mistick Village, where lights adorn more than 40 shops and restaurants. The village itself turns into a spectacular Christmas town during its annual Festival of Lights, which includes live entertainment and delicious treats.

RELATED: 25 Christmas Jokes for Kids and Holiday Riddles

Peddler's Village is a winter wonderland under a million lights! Photo courtesy of Peddler's Village

11. Peddler's Village — New Hope, Pennsylvania

This year-round indoor and outdoor marketplace turns itself into a classic Christmas market with millions of holiday lights twinkling throughout the village. Kids can meet Santa, ride a 1920s carousel, and marvel at the magnificent display of gingerbread houses. You can even catch a Christmas train ride in New Hope and in neighboring towns. Stay a long weekend to soak up all the things to do in Bucks County.

12. Newport, Rhode Island

The opulent mansions of Newport were originally built as summer homes in the 1850s to early 1900s, and now people from all over come to admire their magnificence. Around the holidays, that’s made even more apparent as the Breakers, Marble House and the Elms turn into a magical outdoor wonderland featuring a 15-foot poinsettia tree. Additionally, the city’s Sparkling Lights event features lit-up paths and spruce trees while holiday tunes play in the background. The Bowen’s Wharf Annual Christmas Tree Lighting always commences the holiday season.

RELATED: A Charlie Brown Christmas and More Kids' Holiday Movies to Watch this Holiday Season

Enjoy a snowy Texas holiday at Santa's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of Santa's Wonderland

13. Santa’s Wonderland — College Station, Texas

If you’re looking for snow in Texas, you’ll find it here. There’s nightly snowfall, a snow playground, and snow tubing. Take a horse and carriage or hayride to view an impressive light display. Afterward, visit Santa, sit by a fire pit (hot dogs and s'mores are available for purchase), and enjoy live music. Other attractions at this Christmas town include a trackless train ride, pony rides, a petting zoo, a Texas-sized gingerbread village, a life-sized snow globe, a walkable trail of lights, a live Nativity, a giant outdoor ice skating rink, and lots more. 

14. Skypark at Santa's Village — Lake Arrowhead, California

Open year-round, this LA-area Santa's Village has what one of our writers declared "the best Santa ever." Set up as a winter wonderland in the San Bernardino forest, Skypark at Santa's Village offers non-holiday outdoor adventures like bouldering, a zip line, and a playground. But from mid-November through January, Santa and his elves put on a special "nostalgic Christmas" complete with one-on-one wish taking, breakfast with Santa, ice skating, cookie decorating, a holiday lights display, a train ride, and more. Don't forget to explore Santa's Workshop.

15. Spruce Peak — Stowe, Vermont

Take a festive ski trip to the luxurious slope-side community of Spruce Peak. The Peanuts gang is taking over the charming village this holiday season with A Charlie Brown Christmas Live In Concert at the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center. Visitors can also enjoy s’mores and hot chocolate with Snoopy at the Village Fireplace, sundaes with Snoopy at The Lodge at Spruce Peak, photo opportunities with the Peanuts gang during prime ice skating hours at The Village, and more.

RELATED: Best Family Resorts That Will Sell Out for the Holidays - So, Book Now!

The holiday parade goes through Middleburg's historic downtown. Photo courtesy of Salamander Resort

16. Middleburg, Virginia

A trip to Middleburg feels like A Christmas Carol come to life. Middleburg’s historic downtown is dotted with antique street lamps and twinkling lights, and Federal-style buildings are decked with antique wooden Christmas ornaments. While the famous holiday parade is a family favorite, don't forget to check out special events and activities throughout the season. If you need a Christmas tree (and even if you don’t) a visit to the picturesque Snickers Gap Tree Farm is in order. The Salamander Resort is a festive place to spend the night.

17. Taunton, Massachusetts

They don’t call Taunton "The Christmas City” for nothing: This Christmas town takes its decorations seriously and lights up in an extraordinary way around the holidays. Head to the annual Lights On Festival, where you can admire a truly magical holiday light display on the historic Taunton Green, plus live music, fireworks, and other fun activities for the little ones.

RELATED: LEGO, Harry Potter, and More Awesome Advent Calendars for Kids and Parents, Too!

Wassail Weekend transforms Woodstock into a festive Christmas town. Photo courtesy of the event

18. Woodstock, Vermont

During the holidays, this charming town transforms into an idyllic Christmas town. Wassail Weekend is a most talked-about event, where families can watch demonstrations of traditions like holiday cooking and candle dipping, listen to holiday tales, and more. And what would the weekend be without a horse-drawn wagon or sleigh ride? Plus, Woodstock Town Hall Theatre hosts an annual Cookies with Santa event.

19. Santa Claus, Indiana

When looking for a Christmas town, you can't find one more iconic than the town named after the big man himself. In the three weeks leading up to Christmas, the town kicks off its yearly Santa Claus Christmas Celebration. In addition to a 22-foot Santa statue, you’ll find over 15 other statues of Mr. Claus. Santa Claus is also home to the iconic Santa’s Candy Castle, countless gift shops and bakeries, a drive-thru LED Christmas light display, and more.

20. Manistee, Michigan

This idyllic Christmas town in Northwest Michigan features adorable brick storefronts, brightly lit Christmas trees, and an impressive Christmas festival that takes place the first weekend in December every year. Manistee’s Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend boasts over 10,000 visitors from all over the country. You’ll find a parade of Belgian Draft sleigh horses, carolers in period costumes, Christmas concerts, holiday cookies, a Jingle Bell 5K, carriage rides, and more.

RELATED: How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs in 5 Easy Steps

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow in Leavenworth, Washington. Photo courtesy of Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

21. Village of Lights: Christmastown — Leavenworth, Washington

One of our editors said this was her first experience with a Christmas village as a kid, and it remains her favorite. Every year from Thanksgiving to February, this enchanting Bavarian village transforms into a living snow globe. The streets and buildings are decorated with over half a million lights, and the evenings are packed with kids’ activities, strolling holiday characters, gingerbread houses on display, and lots more. Sleigh rides dash families through the snow, and no holiday visit would be complete without a stop at the Nutcracker Museum and the Gingerbread Factory.

22. Stockbridge, Massachusetts

The Berkshires-area town of Stockbridge creates a throwback classic New England Christmas fete every early December. Expect caroling children, twinkling lights down Main Street, a holiday concert, Santa visits, tours of historic homes, and even antique cars. The pinnacle event celebrates the town as it was when Norman Rockwell painted its main street during the holidays beginning in 1956. Holiday events continue throughout the long weekend and include a fair at the Norman Rockwell Museum. Don't miss the Winterlights at Naumkeag, a stunning display of outdoor holiday lights.

23. Jefferson, New Hampshire

Jefferson may be a small town, but it comes alive each year with its iconic Santa’s Village, a Christmas-themed park and one of the most fa-la-la-la-fun places to visit during the holidays. Kids can feed real reindeer or head over to Elf University for a unique elf scavenger hunt. The fun continues with all kinds of age-appropriate themed rides. End the trip with a visit to Santa’s Home, where Mr. Claus lounges in his rocking chair, ready to hear which gifts children wish for the most this year.

RELATED: Easy Handmade Thumbprint Holiday Cards Kids Craft

The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a holiday parade on water. Photo courtesy of the parade

24. Newport Beach, California

Looking for something a little less traditional? Celebrate the season in Southern California with lights on the water and a festive mini cruise. Newport Harbor lights up with sailing vessels of all types during the annual Newport Beach Boat Parade. Residents also deck out the shoreline with lights, casting a holiday glow across the water. Catch the parade from the deck of a boat on one of the many cruises offered, or stake out a spot on shore to watch the flotilla pass by. There are fireworks on opening and closing nights.

25. Troy, New York

For 40 years, the Troy Victorian Stroll has been a holiday tradition that transforms the streets of historic downtown Troy into a Christmas town of the bygone Victorian era. Locals get gussied up in Dickensian apparel and join in the concerts, street performances, and other events. Be sure to play Stroll Bingo while you’re in town. Squares include, “I voted in the window decorating contest,” “I found saxophone Santa,” and more. Expect to find shopping and dining specials throughout downtown all month long.

26. Kennebunkport, Maine

Though it’s known as a summer travel destination, Kennebunkport turns into a winter wonderland come Christmastime. Combine coastal charm with holiday merriment with a seaside visit to the annual Christmas Prelude, full of bright lights, bows, and boughs. Enjoy a tree lighting in Dock Square, take an enchanted sleigh ride, hum along with carolers to your favorite Christmas tunes, and help the kids make festive crafts. In the biggest event of all, Santa ditches his sleigh for a lobster boat, making his grand entrance by water.

We may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase through our links. This revenue helps us maintain this site, so thank you for supporting us.

An earlier version of this article was first published in 2018. Additional reporting by Ally Noel and Lauren LaRoche